/sheen wah'zeuh ree", -wah"zeuh ree/ ; Fr. /shee nwannzeu rddee"/ , n. , pl. chinoiseries /-reez", -reez/ ; Fr. /-rddee"/ for 2. ( sometimes cap. )
1. a style of ornamentation current chiefly in the 18th century in Europe, characterized by intricate patterns and an extensive use of motifs identified as Chinese.
2. an object decorated in this style or an example of this style: The clock was an interesting chinoiserie.
[ 1880-85; chinois CHINESE + -erie -ERY ]